Composite materials

Abstract

Composite materials comprising a matrix in which are embedded reinforcing fibres and/or fabrics of modified cellulose and methods for making said composite materials.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite material comprising a matrix having modified cellulose fibres and/or modified cellulosic fabric embedded therein, wherein the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric is modified with one or more hydrocarbon acids having a carbon number of at least about 6, wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids include an acid selected from the group consisting of linseed acid, hempseed acid and combinations thereof, wherein the modification covalently links the one or more hydrocarbon acids to the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric. 
     
     
         2 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the linseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of linseed oil or the hempseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of hemp oil. 
     
     
         3 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a polymer matrix. 
     
     
         4 . An article of manufacture formed at least in part from a composite material of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a biodegradable resin. 
     
     
         6 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the modification covalently links the one or more hydrocarbon acids to the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric via an ester linkage. 
     
     
         7 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids comprise linseed acid. 
     
     
         8 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids further comprise rapeseed acid. 
     
     
         9 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids further comprise soybean acid. 
     
     
         10 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids comprise hempseed acid. 
     
     
         11 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose is extracted from one or more of flax, cotton, hemp, coir, jute, manila, ramie, sisal, coconut husk, bamboo or wood pulp. 
     
     
         12 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose fibres are woven flax fibres. 
     
     
         13 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic fabric has a weight ranging from about 10 gsm to about 1000 gsm. 
     
     
         14 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose fibres have an average diameter equal to or greater than about 1 μm. 
     
     
         15 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises one or more of a polyester resin, an epoxy resin and a fatty acid resin. 
     
     
         16 . A composite material comprising a matrix having modified cellulose fibres and/or modified cellulosic fabric embedded therein, wherein the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric is modified with one or more hydrocarbon acids having a carbon number of at least about 6,
 wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids include an acid selected from the group consisting of linseed acid, rapeseed acid, soybean acid, hempseed acid, and combinations thereof,   wherein the cellulosic fabric has a weight ranging from about 10 gsm to about 1000 gsm, and   wherein the modification covalently links the one or more hydrocarbon acids to the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric.   
     
     
         17 . A composite material comprising a matrix having modified cellulose fibres and/or modified cellulosic fabric embedded therein, wherein the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric is modified with one or more hydrocarbon acids having a carbon number of at least about 6,
 wherein the one or more hydrocarbon acids include an acid selected from the group consisting of linseed acid, rapeseed acid, soybean acid, hempseed acid, and combinations thereof, and   wherein the cellulose fibres have an average diameter equal to or greater than about 1 μm, and   wherein the modification covalently links the one or more hydrocarbon acids to the cellulose fibres and/or cellulosic fabric.   
     
     
         18 . The composite material of  claim 16 , wherein the linseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of linseed oil, the soybean acid is obtained by hydrolysis of soy-bean oil, the rapeseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of rapeseed oil, or the hempseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of hemp oil. 
     
     
         19 . The composite material of  claim 17 , wherein the linseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of linseed oil, the soybean acid is obtained by hydrolysis of soy-bean oil, the rapeseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of rapeseed oil, or the hempseed acid is obtained by hydrolysis of hemp oil.